Flavors that Liven Up the Lunchbox
With the kids back in school, it’s easy to settle into a routine. That’s good in some ways, but there’s one place where routine can get boring – in your child’s lunchbox. Most kids have particular favorites they enjoy eating repeatedly, but there are always twists you can try when it comes to lunches and snacks to liven up the flavor and make food more fun. Parents looking to expand their kids’ palates and give them a more sophisticated dining experience are always looking for new ways to serve lunch.
Pizzazz for PB&J
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are one of the most ubiquitous foods found in lunchboxes across the country, but that doesn’t mean they have to be boring. Besides, many schools today have rules against bringing peanut butter to protect kids with allergies. That means that other spreads are becoming more popular, such as pumpkin seed, sunflower seed, and soynut butter. Peanut butter itself is also being paired with other foods besides jelly – for example, peanut butter and apple on cinnamon-raisin bread. We’re also seeing a lot of bread alternatives – peanut butter and raspberries on whole-wheat waffles, anyone?
Nutrition Is Everything
Today’s health-conscious parents are increasingly concerned with making sure that their kids eat a healthy, balanced diet. That means fitting in fruits and veggies any way they can – and that means in the lunchbox, too. Veggies and dip are a fun snack and an excellent way to get kids to eat more of the healthy stuff, which means that healthy dips are getting a lot of attention. Peanut butter dips work great with fruit dippers; dips made with Greek yogurt or cream cheese and fresh herbs are delicious with sliced vegetables such as carrots, celery, and cherry tomatoes.
New Twists on Cheese and Crackers
Even cheese and crackers are getting a foodie-friendly makeover with new flavors and a more powerful nutrition punch. Parents are picking out more sophisticated versions of this classic snack, such as blueberry cream cheese on cookies, fun-shaped cheddar cutouts on garden vegetable crackers, or cream cheese spread with chopped roasted red pepper served with wheat-cracker sticks for dipping.